canmark
Active Member
You can't make these things up.
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1050823--mayor-ford-defends-brother-s-waterfront-vision
|
|
|
- Thread starter MetroMan
- Start date
- Status
You can't make these things up.
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1050823--mayor-ford-defends-brother-s-waterfront-vision
Silence&Motion
Senior Member
Is Ford really trying to promote this mega-mall idea by selling it as a job creating program? Wow, so many more minimum wage employment opportunities at RW&Co and The Gap! Sign me up! Who cares about all the potential jobs that will be lost creating and maintaining those 400 acres of parkland.
GraphicMatt
Looking forward to a FRESH START for Toronto
It's a bizarre comment in so many ways, as the Waterfront Toronto plan for the Lower Don lands sees a large amount of commercial space -- ~13,000 people will work in the area.
Tulse
Senior Member
Those jobs are public sector, and therefore "gravy".
W. K. Lis
Superstar
Meanwhile, the Mayor of New York City, Michael R. Bloomberg, a billionaire and Republicanm rides the New York Subway almost everyday, does so even during the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, a millionaire and a Conservative does NOT ride the Toronto subway, but uses his SUV almost everyday.
What is Rob Ford so afraid of? Terrorists? Unlikely. More likely he doesn't want to talk with the residents of Toronto.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, a millionaire and a Conservative does NOT ride the Toronto subway, but uses his SUV almost everyday.
What is Rob Ford so afraid of? Terrorists? Unlikely. More likely he doesn't want to talk with the residents of Toronto.
Irishmonk
Senior Member
For all of those who oppose the Portlands heist by the Frauds check out this website:
http://codeblueto.com
Write a letter to City Council who will be voting on it in the next month, I believe.
Here's what I wrote:
Toronto's waterfront is this city's crown jewel. It will be there for generations to come, enriching the lives of all of those who choose to use it. After decades and decades of neglect Waterfront Toronto was established to kick start development and begin the process or turning a neglected wasteland with loads of potential into a thriving, revenue generating community and destination. Their work is finally producing results like the spectacular Sugar beach and Sherbourne Commons. These projects have been winning awards for their innovation and design and they indicate the enormous potential waiting to be unlocked in the rest of waterfront lands.
Much money and time has been spent thus far, and incredibly detailed plans have been created for the most challenging section of the waterfront: The Portlands. A financial plan is already in place and there is no reason to think that Waterfront Toronto won't be able to succeed in bringing its masterplan to fruition. It will take time, there is no question of that, but the timespan for such a large, challenging and complex site is reasonable. Doug/Bob Ford's notion that the Portlands can be completed in ten years is ludicrous and cannot be taken seriously.
Cityplace, a private project built on easily prepared land, with much of the infrastructure and transit links already in place, will have taken, when finished, at least fifteen years from concept to completion. And this is only a 44 acre site--less than one fifteenth the size of The Portlands. And it has occurred during the longest sustained building boom in Toronto's history. Thus, when looking at the 25 to 30 year window for the Portlands, one really has to admire the planners for their confidence and optimism rather than chide them for their perceived pokiness.
The Rookie Councillor from Etobicoke, Doug Ford's plan, crafted in the backroom with his friends, likely has an ulterior purpose: dazzle the public with images of Ferris wheels and other amusements, while quietly selling the land to Ford insiders, and throwing the ill gotten gains at Toronto's widening deficit. It's a cash grab, pure and simple. Moreover, such a laughably cartoonish, Disney inspired "vision" with its "Venetian" hotels, lavish shopping malls and a cute monorail, is not worthy of this city and is an insult to the democratic process.
If City Council and Toronto's citizens allow this travesty to occur it will destroy the waterfront's potential, harm this city's reputation in the eye's of international developers and architects, and place a general pall over this city for generations. It will be, perhaps, this city's gravest mistake and greatest failure of the past century and will cause much regret and distress to future generations. It cannot be allowed to happen.
City Council, please show some spine and fortitude when it is your time to vote on the Ford Plan. Show that you care about the city more than your own short term political careers. If Waterfront Toronto is torn up, you will all be wearing it for the rest of your lives. Please do the right thing and vote against the Doug Ford Plan. Doing so will pay great dividends down the road for the city, for future generations and possibly even your own long term political prospects.
http://codeblueto.com
Write a letter to City Council who will be voting on it in the next month, I believe.
Here's what I wrote:
Toronto's waterfront is this city's crown jewel. It will be there for generations to come, enriching the lives of all of those who choose to use it. After decades and decades of neglect Waterfront Toronto was established to kick start development and begin the process or turning a neglected wasteland with loads of potential into a thriving, revenue generating community and destination. Their work is finally producing results like the spectacular Sugar beach and Sherbourne Commons. These projects have been winning awards for their innovation and design and they indicate the enormous potential waiting to be unlocked in the rest of waterfront lands.
Much money and time has been spent thus far, and incredibly detailed plans have been created for the most challenging section of the waterfront: The Portlands. A financial plan is already in place and there is no reason to think that Waterfront Toronto won't be able to succeed in bringing its masterplan to fruition. It will take time, there is no question of that, but the timespan for such a large, challenging and complex site is reasonable. Doug/Bob Ford's notion that the Portlands can be completed in ten years is ludicrous and cannot be taken seriously.
Cityplace, a private project built on easily prepared land, with much of the infrastructure and transit links already in place, will have taken, when finished, at least fifteen years from concept to completion. And this is only a 44 acre site--less than one fifteenth the size of The Portlands. And it has occurred during the longest sustained building boom in Toronto's history. Thus, when looking at the 25 to 30 year window for the Portlands, one really has to admire the planners for their confidence and optimism rather than chide them for their perceived pokiness.
The Rookie Councillor from Etobicoke, Doug Ford's plan, crafted in the backroom with his friends, likely has an ulterior purpose: dazzle the public with images of Ferris wheels and other amusements, while quietly selling the land to Ford insiders, and throwing the ill gotten gains at Toronto's widening deficit. It's a cash grab, pure and simple. Moreover, such a laughably cartoonish, Disney inspired "vision" with its "Venetian" hotels, lavish shopping malls and a cute monorail, is not worthy of this city and is an insult to the democratic process.
If City Council and Toronto's citizens allow this travesty to occur it will destroy the waterfront's potential, harm this city's reputation in the eye's of international developers and architects, and place a general pall over this city for generations. It will be, perhaps, this city's gravest mistake and greatest failure of the past century and will cause much regret and distress to future generations. It cannot be allowed to happen.
City Council, please show some spine and fortitude when it is your time to vote on the Ford Plan. Show that you care about the city more than your own short term political careers. If Waterfront Toronto is torn up, you will all be wearing it for the rest of your lives. Please do the right thing and vote against the Doug Ford Plan. Doing so will pay great dividends down the road for the city, for future generations and possibly even your own long term political prospects.
Hipster Duck
Senior Member
Great list, CN. I weep for democracy which, ironically, is eroding in our digital age.
Don't forget the Fords' unbelievable ego and wish to see a personality cult develop around them. For example, threatening to unleash "Ford Nation" on McGuinty. Frankly, it sounded like a Gadhafi soundbite.
adma
Superstar
You know, in order to get insight into Team Ford's approach to planning, I've been mulling over the Ford cabinet's resident architect, Peter Milczyn. And I have a notion worth sharing here...
You all may recall that back in the Miller mayoralty (and when Milczyn was trying to get in deep w/the Miller mayoralty), Milczyn's pet project--intended "legacy project", maybe?--was the renovation/renewal of Nathan Phillips Square. But you all may recall, too, that his initial idea involved the removal of the walkways and, I guess, more trees and greenery and openness compared to the present so-called desolate concrete wasteland. After all, that's what a lot of casual citizens--y'know, those who I tend to term "Sunday Painter Urbanists"--called for.
Well, what happened is that there was an outcry from highers-up in the architectural and heritage community, concerned about the destructive effect Milczyn's proposed "improvements" would have. So, what happened is that Milczyn's core idea came to be put through a wringer of architectural, contextual, heritage et al studies, charrettes, and what have you, and an international competition came out of it...leading to the present scheme which, of the four finalists, sought most to leave well enough alone. All that for...this? And those "oppressive" walkways still extant (even if glass-railinged at intervals)?
In effect, Milczyn's idea was de-Milczynized. On behalf of what could be easily construed as...gravy. More of that pointy-headed, overpriced "Miller stuff".
Now, imagine if Milczyn offered his idea under a Ford mayoralty. The walkways would be gone, efficiently, no matter what "the experts" say, and...dunno how much else'd be done given that it's the Ford mayoralty, but anyway...the walkways would be gone, and that's the critical prerequisite. Milczyn's in with the Ford crowd, the pointy-headed taxpayer-loathing opponents aren't; and that's what matters.
Methinks that for Milczyn now, it all may be just deserts.
And heck, if you want proof of the "pointy-headed Miller stuff", get a load of how those blank, featureless, horrible horrible grey concrete surfaces which the City was dictated to preserve on the grounds of "heritage" by so-called "experts" was turned into a Jack Layton memorial chalk canvas by your usual non-working/non-earning-their-keep suspects. Soviet desolation begat a Commie Socialist love-in...
You all may recall that back in the Miller mayoralty (and when Milczyn was trying to get in deep w/the Miller mayoralty), Milczyn's pet project--intended "legacy project", maybe?--was the renovation/renewal of Nathan Phillips Square. But you all may recall, too, that his initial idea involved the removal of the walkways and, I guess, more trees and greenery and openness compared to the present so-called desolate concrete wasteland. After all, that's what a lot of casual citizens--y'know, those who I tend to term "Sunday Painter Urbanists"--called for.
Well, what happened is that there was an outcry from highers-up in the architectural and heritage community, concerned about the destructive effect Milczyn's proposed "improvements" would have. So, what happened is that Milczyn's core idea came to be put through a wringer of architectural, contextual, heritage et al studies, charrettes, and what have you, and an international competition came out of it...leading to the present scheme which, of the four finalists, sought most to leave well enough alone. All that for...this? And those "oppressive" walkways still extant (even if glass-railinged at intervals)?
In effect, Milczyn's idea was de-Milczynized. On behalf of what could be easily construed as...gravy. More of that pointy-headed, overpriced "Miller stuff".
Now, imagine if Milczyn offered his idea under a Ford mayoralty. The walkways would be gone, efficiently, no matter what "the experts" say, and...dunno how much else'd be done given that it's the Ford mayoralty, but anyway...the walkways would be gone, and that's the critical prerequisite. Milczyn's in with the Ford crowd, the pointy-headed taxpayer-loathing opponents aren't; and that's what matters.
Methinks that for Milczyn now, it all may be just deserts.
And heck, if you want proof of the "pointy-headed Miller stuff", get a load of how those blank, featureless, horrible horrible grey concrete surfaces which the City was dictated to preserve on the grounds of "heritage" by so-called "experts" was turned into a Jack Layton memorial chalk canvas by your usual non-working/non-earning-their-keep suspects. Soviet desolation begat a Commie Socialist love-in...
ibhattac
New Member
Anyone know to what extent Peter Milczyn practiced as an architect? Or was it just a degree from U of T back in the day and then he got into politics right quick? I seem to be unable to find him in the OAA registry . . ..
adma
Superstar
I've heard questioning speculation from others about his credentials, too. Though I don't know if it's on a Rob-Ford-at-Carleton scale of resume-fudging...or maybe it is. Trouble is, Milczyn's such a colourless, controversial-soundbite-free character next to the Fords, Mammoliti, Minnan-Wong, Del Grande, etc, he doesn't readily invite such investigative speculation. (Though if any journalists or OpenFile types reading this want to look into this, you have my consent.)
W. K. Lis
Superstar
Mayor Ford (I forget which one) wants city workers to take a buy-out or face layoffs. With unemployment in Canada at 7.3%, the only ones who would consider a buy-out would be either those facing retirement or have a new job lined up. If there is no jobs available and possibilities of another recession, why would someone want to leave? If Ford does go the lay-off route, that would increase the unemployment rate in Canada and would look bad for the Harper government. However, Ford knows what is best for Toronto... not.
Automation Gallery
Superstar
I think the buy-outs are mainly directed at the many Paper Pushers (one whose work is dull and without meaning) in the
municipal government payroll.
municipal government payroll.
DSC
Superstar
Buy-outs are almost always directed at people nearing retirement who could either not be replaced or replaced by a far cheaper new hire. Unfortunately these offers also encourage people with a great deal of experience who know (or think) they can get another job to retire when they are in their prime. One almost always loses a great deal of 'corporate wisdom' as well as a few expensive 'time-servers'. A wholesale removal of a layer (or layers) of middle management is not a panacea unless very carefully planned and procedures adapted to the flater pyramid.
Last edited:
Jonny5
Senior Member
There was a kerfuffle kicked up a few years back when the New York Times found Bloomberg is actually picked up at his house by 2 SUVs and is driven to a subway station much closer to City Hall than his local station. About twice a week he actually drives the whole way.
tkip
Active Member
The post about Ford not taking the TTC because he's afraid or doesn't want to talk to residents is pure nonsense. Ford takes his SUV because he's never taken the TTC. Many people don't take public transit. A lot of my co-workers don't take transit. Nothing wrong with this. Personal choice. Ford being mayor doesn't mean he has to start riding the trains.
- Status